Pta Lets Concerned Voices Be Heard

August 31, 1989

"Into the 90s with PTA." The Hampton Council of PTAs is composed of parents, teachers, administrators and friends of public education representing 34 units. The council provides units a forum for coordination and communication. Each unit provides parents and teachers a forum to share their experience and knowledge about children. Members support public education and work with principals, the superintendent and the school board on behalf of children.

Representatives of the National PTA testify at congressional and White House hearings and before the appropriations committee of the Senate on behalf of America's children. The National PTA is asked for comments on the rules and regulations that implement national legislation. The National PTA provides people to serve on committees, to work with governmental agencies and educational institutions to review curriculum, advise on textbooks, or discuss educational policy. Your voice is heard if you belong to PTA. Members of local PTA units, through the National PTA, can mobilize their great potential to influence Congress on important legislation. The National PTA is a lobbying group in the best sense of the word, represented by volunteers whose strength is in numbers and integrity.

Americans are a very mobile population, and many families move during the school years of their children. They hope the new school will be as good as the one they left behind. The PTA gives reason to believe this will be true because we know that PTAs everywhere are scrutinizing their schools and working to provide the best education for all children.

Hampton Council of PTAs' projects include:

Preschool vision screening - trained PTA volunteers, directed by the Virginia Society for the Prevention of Blindness, screen all kindergarten and first grade students in city schools for amblyopia.

Reading is Fundamental - part of the National RIF Program. Each child receives three books during the year. RIF distributions are based on freedom of choice and pride in ownership.

C.W. Miller Scholarship - awarded to a graduating student planning a career in education or other youth-oriented professions.

Substance abuse prevention and intervention - Hampton Council of PTAs received a grant from the Virginia State Plice Association to provide painters' caps for the students particpating in a "Just Say No" march. PTA cooperates and coordinates activities with the Hampton Intervention and Prevention Project.

Additional projects include: leadership training workshops, the National PTA Cultural Arts Contest, the state PTA essay contest, a retired teachers luncheon and a citizen-of-the-month luncheon. Add to these projects the activities and programs sponsored by each PTA unit.

PTAs are alive and well in Hampton. As we move into the 90's with PTA, our membership goal is to match our student enrollment. We currently have a 44 percent PTA membership to enrollment.